Worth getting LC1 right now? (nt)

[kokasoft]

Hi

Although dslr price drops, does it worth getting second LC1?

Thank you

[geoff]

Originally Posted by kokasoft

Although dslr price drops, does it worth getting second LC1?

The issue is not one of price if you are needing the combined capabilities that only the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 and Leica Digilux 2 offer including:

• true live LCD preview
• silent, vibration free shutter
• full analog manual control with aperture ring and top mount shutter speed dial.
• compact self-contained kit
• fast lens

No other camera model offered by Panasonic, Leica, or anyone else provides for the type of image capturing that these cameras introduced and defined.

Additionally, the issue for me, with these cameras, is not one of a lack of image buffer, Raw write times, noise, or high ISO usability. Although, these would be the obvious areas to address with any true successors.

I, myself, am personally at the crossroads. My Leica Digilux 2 is showing signs of very heavy use and I am concerned about service downtime. A new Digilux 2 cannot be found anywhere, yet Panasonic still sells the Lumix DMC-LC1 through their USA website.

I will most likely be picking up a Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 or Leica equivalent when it becomes available along with a couple of M8 bodies. However, neither will offer the functionality and photographic possibilities provided by the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 and Leica Digilux 2.

Very sad if there is to be no LC2 or Digilux 3 in the future as it would starve off a whole new type of photography that Panasonic and Leica defined, should proudly lay claim to and aggressively nurture.

[krabat]

Completely agree!

With the Digilux 2, I re-discovered photography for myself, after being tired and frustrated after years.
It really would be sad if there would not be an equivalent successor of the DL2 - with its analogue feeling, its easy and straightforward use, its very good lens, its discrete operation.
As far as I have learned about the new Panasonic L1, it is no replacement for the DL2.
A DL 3 should and could be comparable to the DL 2 regarding its design and the above mentioned properties, perhaps with a 4/3 sensor (7-8 MP), enhanced lens (I am not sure if O.I.S. should be included), reasonably better behaviour in higher ISO modes, and a slightly enhanced zoom range (e.g., 28 - 100 mm). And, yes, it should have a memory cache, to allow faster storage of RAW images. I would not need more - all the electronic gimmicks, which can be found in current digicams, could be give a miss.

[geoff]

Originally Posted by krabat

A DL 3 [Digilux 3] should and could be comparable to the DL 2 [Digilux 2] regarding its design and the above mentioned properties, perhaps with a 4/3 sensor (7-8 MP), enhanced lens (I am not sure if O.I.S. should be included), reasonably better behaviour in higher ISO modes, and a slightly enhanced zoom range (e.g., 28 - 100 mm).

A 4/3" sensor, as in the Four Thirds System standard, requires adherence to very defined specifications which have a direct affect on a cameras design and size. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is as small of a body as possible that still allows for the Four Thirds System lens to sensor distance requirements.

Additionally, to maintain a reasonably sized lens, in relationship to that of the DMC-LC1 and Digilux 2 as applied to the Four Thirds System, requires the sacrifice of either speed or focal range in order to retain optical quality, hence the Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm ƒ2.8-3.5 lens. Leica to me is not about optical quality compromises.

Furthermore, another much overlooked and misunderstood factor that give both the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 and Leica Digilux 2 an uniqueness in the deployment of a 2/3” sensor, besides manageable lens size, is broad depth-of-field. This is just as important and valid to some as shallow depth-of-field is to others. No single photographic tool covers all needs.

Advancements in sensor technology and supporting circuitry have not hit a roadblock that would limit room for image quality improvement. Is it not simply technically and economically possible to keep the same body and superb lens of the DMC-LC1 and Digilux 2 and incorporate the Venus Engine III, SDHC support, and an adequate image buffer? Just keep the body and lens, for which R&D has already been done, and upgrade the electronics. Same battery, same accessories, attractive upgrade path. Is this not basically the equivalent to say the difference between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 and FZ50?

[Riley]

having just bought a LC1, I couldnt resist commenting
unbelievably for a digital prices of s/h LC 1 and Digilux 2 are trending up
perhaps like me, you can assume all the right reasons for this

Riley

[sean_reid]

Eddy,

If you like the drawing of small sensor cameras, the D2/LC1 will go down in history for having possibly the best file quality that's been accomplished in that format. If the camera's limitations don't bother you then sure, why not?

Cheers,

Sean

[MJLogan]

New Digilux 2s are allegedly available from amazon.com at the moment. They say:
"In stock soon."

[jbstitt]

Sean,

Sean,
Have you been able to use the Digilux 3? Obviously you have done much with the M8. Do you have or are you planning a review of the D3? I am most interested in the possible awkwardness of switching between the two modes and the click, clack of the mirrors.. I use both viewfinders on the D2. I agree, there is no other digital camera quite like the D2 and it has been the best camera for my travel. It is fast, responsive, intuitive, of a small size for a "good" camera, and with quality that even with jpegs makes great 16 x 12 prints. I think based on my experience with the D2 that I want a D3 but hate to make a committment until I really see or hear how it works in reality.

John Stitt

[mathewm]

Originally Posted by MJLogan

New Digilux 2s are allegedly available from amazon.com at the moment. They say:
"In stock soon."

Interesting. I clicked 'notify when in stock'. I'm sort of kicking myself for not buying one when they were still readily in stock and $1500. I'm just not crazy about the L1/D3. The D3 especially looks odd. It's bulbous and annoyingly looks like a copy-cat of the D2. Also from what I have seen from the L1 it lacks that Leica 'glow' that I see in the D2 images.

[MJLogan]

I think that the D3, when fitted with the upcoming-in-2007 non-stabilised f/1.4 25mm Summilux prime lens, will be a dead-ringer for the D2 visually, and a better tool in every way (except for those who hate mirror slap--but the mirror is damped, I'm told, and not too loud). I'm inclined to agree that the D3 is a bit of a beast with that kit zoom, but a stabilised moderate-zoom lens would be nice to have as an option. I expect that, once the prime arrives, it will be on my D3 90% of the time.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by jbstitt

Sean,

Sean,
Have you been able to use the Digilux 3? Obviously you have done much with the M8. Do you have or are you planning a review of the D3? I am most interested in the possible awkwardness of switching between the two modes and the click, clack of the mirrors.. I use both viewfinders on the D2. I agree, there is no other digital camera quite like the D2 and it has been the best camera for my travel. It is fast, responsive, intuitive, of a small size for a "good" camera, and with quality that even with jpegs makes great 16 x 12 prints. I think based on my experience with the D2 that I want a D3 but hate to make a committment until I really see or hear how it works in reality.

John Stitt

Hi John,

I have not yet worked with the D3 (only held one at a meeting) but I certainly do plan to review it.

Cheers,

Sean